Quit Smoking = Heartburn?

I am on day two myself and I have suddenly noticed a lot of heart burn.  I too haven't been eating acid indigestion inducing foods, so I figure that not smoking is playing a role.  My guess is that since I so often smoke to slow down wanting to eat, now my body is trying to get back to normal.  But, like I said, it is a guess.  Ironically, one of the things I always remind myself of when I want a smoke is how much heartburn it caused me.  But that was always late at night, not during the day.

Here is a link with some info: http://heartburn.about.com/cs/prevention/a/hrtburn_smoking.htm

Heartburn can also be caused by smoking. Because our lower esophageal sphincter which keeps stomach acids from coming back up into the esophagus is weakened. Smoking can really cause a lot of health problems, that's why I decided to quit before its too late. It's not really easy but I'm going through it slowly.  I will be happy if the pack of cigarettes that could be bought here in America will be have it's graphic designs that shows diseases which is caused by smoking. For 25 years smokers have been disregarding the health warnings on cigarette packs. Soon packs of cigarettes will bear large, graphic safety measures when brand new label standards are implemented by the Food and Drug Administration. In 2009 Congress empowered the FDA to regulate tobacco as a drug and the brand new smoking caution labeling are evidence of the agencies more aggressive approach.

I am in week 3 and sometimes it feels like the heartburn is going to kill me but there is GREAT news, it's all normal and temporary.   You are doing a good thing for yourself, hang in there, it'll be ok.

          Digestive

• Acid Indigestion/Heartburn - If you had acid indigestion before you quit, it will get a bit worse and then it will go away. If you never had heartburn this symptom can last for about 3 weeks to 3 months. Try Tums or DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice), which may help acid reflux too.
• Gas or flatulence - This may last several weeks. Don't eat gas producing foods like beans, cabbage or cauliflower. You can also try Beano.
• Diarrhea -This can last a few days. Try any over the counter remedy. The body is adjusting to the new digestive changes.
• Constipation - This may last for several weeks. Cigarettes used to act like a diuretic and also like a laxative. Try an over the counter remedy for relief.
• Nausea - This symptom almost seems like the flu. It usually lasts a week. Drinking any carbonated beverage should help.

           Respiratory

• Sinus Congestion - This is caused by a clearing out of the sinuses. It is almost as if (for a short period of time) someone turns on a little water hose in your head. Take an over-the-counter medication until the "dripping" stops or use a Netipot to help clear things out. This symptom may last up to 2 months.
• Cough, Throat Clearing - This is due to a cleaning and clearing of the reactivated cilia in the lungs; your body is clearing out the debris, tar and phlegm. We can't get our Oreck vacuum down in the lungs so coughing up the debris is a good thing. This may last a few days to several months. Phlegm - This is also due to reactivated cilia. It can last a couple of months.
• Hoarseness - This is also due to the fact that smokers are not "smoking" the soft tissues in the throat and the new non-smoker is getting some tender "baby" tissue almost like when a baby is teething. Basically, the tissue in the throat is regenerating. This may last several months. Use lozenges or whatever you would do for a sore throat. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help.

After several kickstarts, I think I have had a breakthrough and has managed to stop smoking since Jan 1, 2011, and still trying to overcome mental and physical cravings. I would like to join some groups to get support and also to help others who want to quit the habit.

I have been searching the internet for support. I feel that instructions and videos at the following blog may be helpful for people like us. http://bit.ly/ldaPhw